Handling Personal Injury Claims in the Seattle Area and Throughout Washington Since 1995

My name is Chris Thayer and I am a personal injury attorney practicing in downtown Seattle. I handle personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death claims throughout the greater Seattle area, including Issaquah, Mercer Island and Kirkland.

Misconceptions Surrounding Seattle Personal Injury Cases

Posted Friday, March 1, 2019 by
Chris Thayer

When you have been injured or hurt by the negligence or wrongful act of another, you might be considering filing a personal injury suit to receive compensation for the damages caused by your injuries. In thinking about the lawsuit, you might be encumbered with any number of misconceptions that surround a personal injury suit. The following are common misconceptions people have when thinking about personal injury.

*“People will think I am being disingenuous”* Unfortunately, people tend to think the worst of others and personal injury suits are no different. Some think that anyone pursuing a personal injury suit is faking their injury and only after the money. This is false. Yes, some people lie, but that should not stop you from seeking the damages you are entitled to after an injury. Personal injury suits are there to bring an injured person back to the position they were in before the injury.

*“I do not need a lawsuit, insurance will cover my expenses.”* Most people do not think that there is any need for a lawsuit if they have insurance. They think that their insurance company, or the responsible party’s, insurance company will be happy to hand out the money to cover expenses. Insurance companies are interested in making the most profits they can. As such, insurance companies try to reduce the payouts to injured individuals to stay profitable. A personal injury suit can provide you with the compensation for damages your insurance company never would.

*“I can not afford an attorney”* There is a misconception that representation in personal injury cases is not affordable. On the contrary, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that instead of charging upfront costs or providing bills as the case progresses, the attorney will instead collect a portion of the settlement or judgment in the case to cover the fees that have been accruing during the case.

*“There is no rush, I am going to take my time and think about the suit.”* Personal injury suits are subject to a statute of limitations. In the state of Washington, individuals only have three years to file a suit for personal injury. This might seem like a lot of time and a reason to wait before starting the process, but filing a personal injury case can take a while. Before you know it, three years can pass and you no longer have the option of filing a personal injury case.

If you have been injured through the negligence or wrongful act of another, contact the personal injury attorneys at Pivotal Law Group. We know that recovering from an injury can be difficult. As such, we strive to make the personal injury lawsuit as stress-free as possible. The filing of a case takes copious amounts to research and work. Therefore, it is in your best interest to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get the ball rolling on your case. Contact us today for a consultation.

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